Restricted shotgun for farm protection

I know a 20g shotgun will stop most of the predators. Will a 20g slug stop a black bear? The bear is my concern seeing as though in Sevrin we now have a spring bear hunt because the population is now in the nuance category. We have a family or two of black bears within a km of the house, and the back forrest is a pass through for deer and rabbit.
 
If 12 gauge recoil is the problem, switching to a different 12 gauge shotgun won't solve anything.

Go for a 20 gauge pump. Take a look at the Weatherby PA-08 with a shorter, 22" barrel (handier and easier to point). Well made guns and fairly reasonably priced.

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/36655/weatherby-pa-08-upland-pump-action-shotgun

And the "2+1" rule is only for hunting purposes. Predator and pest control is not hunting. If it's a semi, you can have 5 rounds. If it's a pump, there's no limit.
 
A Benelli M4 is a nice choice, but the 18.5" models are heavy. In fact, mine feels heavier than my 26" 870 pump. I have yet to prove this on a scale, but it sure seems like it. There's lots of nice 20-gauges out there if weight and recoil is an issue.

Cannon
 
if recoil and weight are the issues for your wife and daughter then I would move away from the pumps and single shots and look at some 20 gauge semis with a shorter barrel or get the barrel shortened. The semis use up some of the recoil and gases and wont kick near as bad. As someone already said some 00 buck in a 20g is enough for any predator, the slugs will take care of the bear as well if shot placement is right. But one over the head of a black bear will probably send him running anyway. My daughter and girlfriend both shoot my Browning 20 gauge semi on skeet's with no recoil issues.
 
I'd also suggest the 20ga. Look at the 870 Express Compact Jr. 18.75" bbl with Mod. choke and stock spacers. 37.25" overall length. Wonderful gun imho.
 
Try a Grizzly 12.5" 870 clone, but change the heavy stocks on it for something really light like a hogue or Remington hollow furniture set. buy some low-recoil SSG or slugs for it. Should be fine and VERY compact.
 
fenceline said:
You could just get a short pump shotgun. If a shotgun is a must.

grizzly2.jpg
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Damn near the twin of mine, except mine has a smiley face mag cap!
 
Claven2 said:
Try a Grizzly 12.5" 870 clone, but change the heavy stocks on it for something really light like a hogue or Remington hollow furniture set. buy some low-recoil SSG or slugs for it. Should be fine and VERY compact.
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Did Remington make Furniture? Or are you and your Grizzly just fooling me?
 
Don't need a restricted shotgun for your application - Rifle sighted pump would do adequately, with ammo of modest recoil.
Reducing recoil is always a balance of ammo selection, weight of firearm and a really good recoil pad.
I used to recommend an Ithaca Deerslayer, but now, other makers produce such rifle sights on a smoothbore.
If the primary user is of smaller stature, shorten the buttstock appropriately.
Almost anyone can learn to shoot a shotgun with rifle sights adequately for defense from predators of all kinds, but practice is essential.
 
1) 20 ga pump with 000
2) 243 pump iron sights & 100 gr bullets
3) A good recoil pad on whichever you pick
Practice, Practice, more practice
 
Personally, I would get one of these shotguns from Corwin Arms

DSC_0266_zpsmwgusxud.jpg



It's a non restricted semi auto 20 gauge. Semi auto function should reduce recoil even further. I would get several magazines and load them with slugs, buckshot, smaller shot etc as appropriate. Then you can instantly grab the correct magazine with the correct ammunition for the task at hand. You could even label each magazine with "slugs for bear" or "4Buck for coyotes" etc.

I've never used them but I hear the 20Ga Challenger slugs are exceptional on larger animals.
 
Well there are a lot of good suggestions listed above if close to neighbours......your also on a ranch.....no one around!
If concerned about bullet ricocheting use shotgun slugs or 00 buck
 
blasted_saber said:
So you have cougars and bears on a ranch in Toronto.

Alright then
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They prolly have cubs there too (in Toronto)...
We debate light rifles in large calibers for recoil sensitive persons for hunting... reasoning being it is for hunting and the excitement of the hunt will overcome the recoil.
A gas operated or inertia auto loader will do wonders for the situation described in the opening thread and if it where my farm it would have three friends Pete, Re-Pete and Ditto in an 1100 configuration.
Thats just me though.
Seasons Greetings,
Rob
Rob
 
Brutus said:
It is impossible to find 20 gauge 000 buckshot over the counter.

Biggest buckshot listed is #2 buckshot from a Federal 3inch shell.
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+1.
20ga is an effective caliber, but hard hitting defense loads are not commonly found like 12ga.
 
EL34/6L6 said:
+1.
20ga is an effective caliber, but hard hitting defense loads are not commonly found like 12ga.
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Except...

In general, shotgun shells are the easiest to reload of anything. Rolling your own defensive/heavy loads is pretty trivial.
 
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